VIDEO ART NIGHT (VAN) 2024

In celebration of Dallas Arts Month, AURORA and Downtown Dallas, Inc. were thrilled to present the latest edition of VAN. This one-night event took place on April 5, 2024 from 6 to 10 pm, transforming Pegasus Plaza into an outdoor, immersive exhibition with video artworks created by leading Texas artists.

In parallel with the curated program, visitors were invited to enjoy live music, refreshments, and DJ set by DJ Blake, hosted by Downtown Dallas, Inc.

This special edition of VAN marks the first time AURORA invited Texas-based artists to propose their video artworks for the projection program through an OPEN CALL.  

Pegasus Plaza
1500 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201

Featured Artists:
Courtney Ware
Evita Tezeno
experimenta.I.
Holly Veselka
Jiatong Yao
LabSynthE
Melanie Clemmons and Zak Loyd
UXRA
Weyni Kahsay
Yuliya Lanina

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OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS

Submission deadline: February 25, 2024
Click HERE to APPLY!

AURORA cordially invites Texas-based individual artists and collectives, aged 18 and above, to propose their video artworks to be considered for the projection program of the 2024 VAN.  

Proposals should explore innovative approaches to AURORA’s 2024 Biennial theme, FuturePresentPast, conceived to ignite new ideas about the future. This overarching theme encompasses topics such as community connections, health advocacy, environmental sustainability, and the impact of displacement and migration on evolving cities. Responding to one or more of these topics, the selected works will contribute to an immersive exhibition, offering visitors the opportunity to experience art in an unexpected setting.

The works should be submitted exclusively in a vertical format to be projection-mapped onto a 4-foot-wide and 8-foot-tall panel without sound. Applicants must be available in Dallas on April 5, 2024, and able to produce, coordinate, schedule, install, and uninstall their project at Pegasus Plaza. 

The application should include an artist bio and proposed artwork description, both up to 200 words, a one-page CV, and a filled-out form. A minimum of 3 and no more than 5 supporting images should be submitted, no smaller than 500 pixels width, 125 dpi, and no larger than 2000 pixels width, 125 dpi. The maximum file size for each file is 10 MB, and the accepted file types are JPG and PNG.

Artists can send in their submissions, free of charge, from January 30 to February 25, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST. Only complete applications will be taken into consideration.

For questions about the open call or VAN, please contact Corey Godfrey at corey@dallasaurora.com.
 

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Video Art Night
is supported by:

Downtown Dallas, Inc.,  Texas Vignette, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District

Jiating Yao, ‘Toothtopia’

Courtney Ware, ‘ Endangered‘

LabSynthE, ‘Yesterday and Today’

Art Quest

In summer 2023, AURORA presented the return of Art Quest⁠, the annual art discovery program, which took place in three Dallas neighborhoods identified in the Dallas Cultural Plan. This unique program connected diverse communities with regional artists through interactive, scavenger hunt-style events. With Art Quest⁠, AURORA aims to foster creativity, diversity, and inclusivity through the power of contemporary art and technology.

The program took place on June 3rd, 10th, and 17th, 2023.

CoMMISSIONED Artists:

Eliza Au
Karla Garcia
Hobbes Vincent

For this occasion, AURORA commissioned three sculptures developed through the use of 3D printing technologies. These sculptures were placed at a new secret outdoor location on each of the three Art Quest⁠ dates.

The clues to begin the quest were revealed on the Saturday of the quest at 10 am on AURORA’s Instagram feed. The first finder collected it on the spot, along with a certificate of authenticity, and had the chance for a one-on-one studio visit with the artist who created it.

ART QUEST 2023 WAS
MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Rendering of sculpture by Hobbes Vincent

Rendering of sculpture by Eliza A

VIDEO ART NIGHT (VAN) 2023

A pop-up video art program presented in downtown Dallas

In celebration of Dallas Arts Month, AURORA and Downtown Dallas, Inc. presented the second edition of VAN, a one-night event that transformed Pegasus Plaza into an outdoor, immersive video art exhibition.

The exhibition took place on April 21, 2023 from 6-10pm, showcasing video art by leading regional and national artists:

Kristin Lucas
Christopher Meerdo
Diana Rojas
Zak Loyd
Nick Bontrager
Chris Wicker
Ella and Cedric Steed
Eduardo Garcia

In parallel with the curated program, visitors were invited to enjoy live music by Len Barnett, refreshments from Pegasus City Brewing and record spinning from DJ Blake, hosted by Downtown Dallas, Inc.

Friday Apr 21, 2023; 6-10pm
Live music & market 6-10pm
Video program 8 (sunset)-10pm

Pegasus Plaza
1500 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201
 

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Video Art Night 2023
WAs supported by:

Downtown Dallas Inc., PNC Bank, Sapphire Foundation, Lightware Labs and Pegasus City Brewery.

Christopher Meerdo: ‘Null Object,’ Photo by Dylan Hollingsworth



Video Art Night visitors, Photo by Dylan Hollingsworth


Ella and Cedric Steed: ‘30mg Dogma Extraction II,’ Photo by Dylan Hollingsworth

 Video by Nick Borntrager; Photo by Dylan Hollingsworth


Kristin Lucas: ‘Hey You Sandpipers’, 2022, generative animation; Photo by Dylan Hollingsworth

Art Quest

In summer 2022, AURORA launched Art Quest⁠—a month-long, public art discovery and workshop program with an exciting game element. Taking place in five Dallas neighborhoods, it connected diverse communities with regional artists in unexpected ways. Through this unique project, AURORA aimed to create accessible and inclusive moments and open ways for the positive impact of art and technology to reach and transform neighborhoods needing greater access to art.

For this occasion, AURORA commissioned five artworks. These sculptures, developed through the use of 3D printing technologies, were placed weekly at a new secret outdoor location. The clues for finding the hidden artwork were revealed on the morning of each Art Quest. The first finder was able to collect it on the spot, along with a certificate of authenticity and information about the artwork and artist who created it.

Expanding its mission of merging art, technology, and community, AURORA additionally organized two educational workshops about technology’s influence on culture, led by artist Nitashia Johnson.

Dates: 

July 09: Artwork by Andrew Scott in Jubilee Park Neighborhood
July 16: Artwork by Brooks Oliver in Bachman Lake Neighborhood
July 23: Artwork by Heather Gorham in Pleasant Grove Neighborhood
July 30: Artwork by Eric Trich in Bonton Neighborhood
Aug 06: Artwork by Victor Enam at Vickery Meadow Neighborhood

Workshops by Nitashia Jackson:
July 23 at Urban Arts Center
July 27 at Urban Arts Center

Contributing Artists:

Andrew Scott
Brooks Oliver
Heather Gorham
Eric Trich
Victor Enam
Nitashia Johnson 

ART QUEST 2022 WAS
MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Victor Enam, ‘Yeezy Walks’


Nitashia Johnson in her studio 

VIDEO ART NIGHTS 2022

A pop-up video art program presented in Downtown Dallas

In celebration of Dallas Arts Month, AURORA and Downtown Dallas, Inc. presented a month-long program of projections at parks and outdoor surfaces in Downtown Dallas. The five events took place each Friday evening in April 2022, from sunset (8 pm) to midnight, at West End Square, Pegasus Plaza (supported by Joule Hotel), and the Dallas Arts District.

A diverse team of emerging and established curators brought their vision to public spaces across the city. The inaugural program on the night of April 1st was curated by the UNT New Media Cooperative. For the following three⁠—on April 8th, 15th, and 22nd⁠—AURORA invited Bart Weiss, an esteemed Dallas curator, educator, festival director, and multi-talent in the fields of film and video art. Andrew F. Scott,  multimedia artist and professor at The University of Texas at Dallas⁠, prepared the program for the closing night on April 29th.

From 6 to 10 pm, in parallel with the curated program, visitors were able to enjoy outdoor artisanal markets hosted by Downtown Dallas, Inc.

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Program curated by UNT New Media Cooperative:

Friday Apr 01, 2022; 6pm-12am
Live music & market 6-10pm
Video program 8pm (sunset)-12am

West End Square
607 Corbin St,
Dallas, TX 75202

Featured Artists: Amber Bishop, Diana Gonzalez, Connor Mizell, Diana Rojas, Conner Simmons
Live Music by: Kamica King

⁠

Program curated by Bart Weiss:

Friday Apr 08, 2022; 6pm-12am
Live music & market 6-10pm
Video program 8pm (sunset)-12am

West End Square
607 Corbin St,
Dallas, TX 75202

Featured Artists:  Michael Morris, The Art Guys, Joo Yong Choi
Live Music by: Len Barnett “Percussion Things”

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Friday Apr 15, 2022; 6pm-12am
Live music & market 6-10pm
Video program 8pm (sunset)-12am

Pegasus Plaza
1500 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201

Featured Artists: Cindy Thomas, Christian Vasquez
Live Music by: Robert Holbert Group

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Friday Apr 22, 2022; 6pm-12am
Live music & market 6-10pm
Video program 8pm (sunset)-12am

Pegasus Plaza
1500 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201

Part 1: Curated by Bart Weiss
Featured Artists: Camel Collective, Sky Hopinka, Jeff Gibbons

Part 2: Vich-Na-Vich, curated by Lilia Kudelia and Janeil Engelstad, with support from Make Art with Purpose Sylvia Houghland Art Fund, featuring a selection of videos by Ukrainian artists
Featured Artists:  Alevtina Kakhidze, Dana Kavelina

Live Music by: Izk Davis (Live artist) & Bandan Koro Experience

Program curated by  Andrew F. Scott:

Friday Apr 29, 2022
This evening, Video Art Nights will take place as part of the Dallas Arts District Changing Perspectives Block Party 2022

Video program: 8pm (sunset)-12am

Moody Performance Hall (Dallas Arts District)
2520 Flora St
Dallas, TX 75201

Featured Artists: Omar Davila, xtine burrough, SV Randall, Laura Neal, Roxanne Minnish, Moss Murphy, Liz Trosper, Laura Hyunjhee Kim, Dean Terry, Andrew F. Scott,

Video Art Nights 2022
WAs supported by:

Downtown Dallas Inc., PNC Bank, Sapphire Foundation, Visit Dallas, Lightware Labs, and Pegasus City Brewery.

[Video still] Amber Bishop, A Portal Somewhere Good


[Video still] Liz Trosper, Representational Painting



[Video still]Christian Vasquez, A Catalog of Lost Time


[Video still]  Michael A. Morris, ARK

CURATORS

The New Media Cooperative is an interdisciplinary organization based at the University of North Texas. With a primary focus on technology-based visual art and performance, they create opportunities for community building, cross-disciplinary collaboration, workshops, exhibitions, and interactions with professional artists and educators.


Bart Weiss  is an award-winning independent film and video producer, director, editor, and educator. He is currently President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers, serves on the Board of Directors of the University Film and Video Association, is a past Vice President of the Texas Association of Film and Tape Professionals, founder and past president of the West Virginia Filmmakers’ Guild, and co-founder of VideoFest and the Video Association of Dallas.


Andrew F. Scott is an artist and educator working at the intersection of digital fabrication technologies and traditional fine arts practice. Utilizing laser cutters, CNC mills, 3D printers, and scanning technologies, he fabricates sculptures and creates installations and immersive visual experiences by using projection mapping to bring static objects to life. Scott is an Associate Professor of Art and Technology at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Lilia Kudelia is a curator and art historian. She has worked at Dallas Contemporary, TX, Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC and the Art Arsenal in Kyiv, Ukraine. Kudelia co-curated Ukrainian National Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale that featured work by photographer Boris Mikhailov. She holds an MA from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University, a BA in Cultural Studies from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine, and was a visiting scholar at the University of Toronto, Canada. She is currently guest curator at Residency Unlimited, NY.


Janeil Engelstad is the Founding Director of Make Art with Purpose (MAP), an organization that produces interdisciplinary projects addressing social and environmental concerns around the world. Engelstad’s projects have been produced with Amon Carter Museum of American Art, ArtMargins, California Museum of Photography, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Dallas Museum of Art, Łaźnia Centre for Contemporary Art (Gdańsk, PL), Museum of Arts and Design (NYC), New York City Department of Transportation’s Art Program, Stanica Žilina-Záriečie (Žilina, SK), US Department of State and others. A Fulbright Scholar, Engelstad holds an MFA in Photography from a joint program between New York University and International Center of Photography and BAs in Political Science and English from University of Washington, Seattle.

       

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